Incident at library results in sex offense charge against man

Published: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 11:02 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 11:02 a.m.

A registered sex offender from Lexington is facing an indecent liberties charge after police alleged he committed a sex act at the Lexington Library on South Main Street.

Wayne Anthony Long, 50, of 38 Mill St., Apt 21, has been charged with felony indecent liberties with a child. The charge rises from an investigation by the Lexington Police Department. Long was placed in the Davidson County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond.

Lexington Police allege Long committed the crime Monday. Long was arrested a day later.

The victim's mother told officers, according to a report from the LPD, Long "manipulated the act of masturbation toward her juvenile daughter while inside the Davidson County Library." But a sergeant with the LPD stated in an arrest warrant Long took indecent liberties with a child under 16 years old by masturbating in a public place in full view of the juvenile with the purpose of sexual arousal and gratification.

Capt. Robby Rummage of the Lexington Police Department said the minor was between 12 and 14 years of age.

“The minor was never touched, and there were no physical injuries,” Rummage said. “He did do that act in her presence with the purpose of self-gratification.”

Rummage said Long did not know the minor. Additional charges could be coming.

“Things are still being looked at and being investigated,” he said. “We take this very, very seriously.”.

Long has been on the state's registered sex offender list since Sept. 23, 1998. He was previously convicted of indecent liberties with a minor in Davidson County on Feb. 20, 1997.

Long has also been convicted of indecent liberties with a child in 1989.

Long was most recently released from prison in Forsyth County on April 17, 2013, when he served a habitual felon charge consolidated with a stalking charge from 2005.

<p>A registered sex offender from Lexington is facing an indecent liberties charge after police alleged he committed a sex act at the Lexington Library on South Main Street.</p><p>Wayne Anthony Long, 50, of 38 Mill St., Apt 21, has been charged with felony indecent liberties with a child. The charge rises from an investigation by the Lexington Police Department. Long was placed in the Davidson County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond.</p><p>Lexington Police allege Long committed the crime Monday. Long was arrested a day later.</p><p>The victim's mother told officers, according to a report from the LPD, Long "manipulated the act of masturbation toward her juvenile daughter while inside the Davidson County Library." But a sergeant with the LPD stated in an arrest warrant Long took indecent liberties with a child under 16 years old by masturbating in a public place in full view of the juvenile with the purpose of sexual arousal and gratification.</p><p>Capt. Robby Rummage of the Lexington Police Department said the minor was between 12 and 14 years of age.</p><p>“The minor was never touched, and there were no physical injuries,” Rummage said. “He did do that act in her presence with the purpose of self-gratification.”</p><p>Rummage said Long did not know the minor. Additional charges could be coming.</p><p>“Things are still being looked at and being investigated,” he said. “We take this very, very seriously.”.</p><p>Long has been on the state's registered sex offender list since Sept. 23, 1998. He was previously convicted of indecent liberties with a minor in Davidson County on Feb. 20, 1997.</p><p>Long has also been convicted of indecent liberties with a child in 1989.</p><p>Long was most recently released from prison in Forsyth County on April 17, 2013, when he served a habitual felon charge consolidated with a stalking charge from 2005.</p><p>Long is scheduled to appear Sept. 30 in Lexington District Court.</p><p>Wil Petty can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, wil.petty@the-dispatch.com. Follow Wil on Twitter: @WilPetty.</p>